Tuesday, March 31, 2009

After spending so many hour indoors this weekend with the rain and yesterday in preparation for today, when I got to the B&B, I sat in the car and sketched the view from my window of Rebecca's side yard. Flowers were in bloom, and the entire scene was welcoming and so springy!

In a few hours, we'll be filled with Arboretum guests and I suppose we are as prepared as we can be. A few more final 'touches' this morning, and it's TIME!

Thank you for your wishes of luck! We'll need it!

It'll be late tonight before I return to the computer -- I hope your day goes well, too!

Monday, March 30, 2009

I painted this last week, again working on those sunsets and sunrises I so love. I kept the 'island' simplifed so I could highlight the sky.

It's our 'busy' week with close to 75 folks coming for my Southern Garden lecture and Arboretum tour tomorrow; interviews for gardeners the next two days ... Thank heavens the weather promises to be sunny and warm, and my fingers are crossed that folks are satisfied with what they see and hear.

Hope your week is good. I may be a bit scarce with all this going on ...and my fingers are crossed for a bit of a quieter time next week! LOL

Sunday, March 29, 2009

As promised -- my travel kit. I keep all but the sketchpage in a zip lock bag.

There was an interesting post on Wet Canvas last week about using 'Sculpy' clay to mold wells for paint and add them to an Altoid Tin. (see www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5...

I purchased some Sculpy and used a $1, unhinged tin from Michaels Arts and Crafts to try out the idea. As you can see I wasn't very tidy -- but I did manage to get in all my favorite colors. The Altoids tin on the right I prefer for the 'hinged' part ... I don't have to juggle but one palette. Still, I prefer having the colors I like and so I will redo the tin on the left, but neater. BTW, I molded the Sculpy in the Altoids box and baked BOTH in the oven according to Sculpy directions -- worked very well!

A couple of pieces of info:

I used double-faced Scotch Tape to add a piece of freezer paper (wax side up) to line both sides of the palette -- it works incredibly well to mix my paint, and then wipes up clean to remix additional colors. When the 'wax' is worn off, it's a simple thing to pull it off the adhesive and add a new piece of freezer paper.

I cut a sponge to fill in the gap between the paint wells and the tin -- I find the sponge especially helpful to wick off too much water on my brush.

The sketchpad is 7" x 10" Arches spiral watercolor pad, 140# cp. I love it -- but it's mighty expensive. I'm in the midst of constructing my own of a similar size and using the same paper. I'll be interspersing typing paper between the sheets of watercolor paper for journaling. Once I have this spiral-bound and decorated, I'll post. I'm adding an envelop or two as my travel journal to Italy.

The tiny spray bottle works well to wet my paints. It's a 'mini-sprayer' from Ranger.

The double water holder works exceptionally well in the car ... hold just enough water and clips onto my book so I can keep all of this on my lap.

I've been trialling the mini-kit I put together to see how this might work during my plane trip as well as plein air opportunities. I'll have a chance to take a photo later tonight. Right now, I'm pretty pleased with it.

I sketched and painted this while driving to the mountains -- it's based partly on a photo reference, partly from what we could see in the fog and rain, and I've added an enormous amount of artist's licence to make the day sunnny!! LOL

It looked like the rain 'might' be clearing late last night. But we've had steady rain -and fortunately, warm temps. We kept the grands last night -- they were incredibly good. They're still asleep so I've only a few moments. While my daughter fed Riley yesterday afteernoon, we took Taylor to a museum featuring 'Health" and there were lots of opportunities for her to slide, and roll, and shop and play. Fun! We brought both girls to our motel last night for some arts and crafts and a sleep over. Riley ate on schedule, awakening only once at 2:45 am for a bottle ... I am so pleased at how well they've both done.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

This is the view we saw while driving to and from work, to the mountains, and this will greet us again when we get home. The redbuds are brightening our woodlands with their pink/magenta...beautiful time!

Oh how Riley has grown!! We met the 'girls' at their hotel and all went to dinner. Today, we spent the day and evening with them in our motel while we give my daughter and her husband the first 'free' night they've had since January. They have a special dinner to go to as well ... Since Riley eats every 3 hours and Taylor is a bundle of 3 year old energy, there won't be much sleep in our immediate future ... but my camera is ready, and we'll have a fun time bonding and playing.

It's warm outdoors, but still rainy. Spring has come to the mountains .. and despite the grey -- those pinks and chartruses are brightening the world!

Friday, March 27, 2009

We're heading to the mountains to see my daughter and son-in-law who are participating in a special National Guard event there. We'll be watching the grands for the weekend --- I haven't see my newest granddaughter since January, so I'm sure she's changed a lot.

I probably won't have a lot of time to check mail, so I hope to catch up with everyone Sunday night.

It's raining still and while I was hoping to see scenes like this in the mountains, I expect it'll be far more grey!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Working a bit on drawing skills (still need a lot of practice there!) and textures .....

We're blanketed with rain and fog this morning and it's going to remain with us until Sunday. We've gotten most of the outdoor work completed so from now until then we'll be working in the greenhouse to ready for the plant sale. Temps are warm, but everything is sodden.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I got home last night after 9 pm and an intense day. I didn't have time for any painting, but did manage to sketch a bit before turning off the light at 10. This simple watercolor was done a few weeks ago when I got to the B&B a bit earlier -- but still didn't have enough time for anything more elaborate.

Thank you again for your well wishes. I'm feeling much better -- and have to put a plug in for a product that seems to have helped me turn the corner -- Airborne (no paid sponsorship, I assure you! LOL). Somehow that herbal remedy has take the 'hack' out of the cough, the 'stuff' out of the stuffiness, and put the 'well' into wellbeing. I'm sure resting, lots of fluids, cough syrup and decongestants have contributed as well - but this stuff worked well for me and so I thought I'd pass that along.

We're making a dent in the preparations for our big event next week - the 'Prelude' to the next phase of the Arboretum. We'll be creating a 'southern' garden and the lecture I've written explains the heritage of these gardens and the cultures that have contributed to making them distinct. It'll be a mighty busy time, because immediately after that event, we'll be interviewing for two positions we urgently need to fill. Once all those obligations are met, we have a brief respite (24 hours, I think! LOL) before we ready for our largest fundraiser -- our plant sale. So, I'm stocking up on Airborne... lol

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Thank you for your well wishes ... I got some much needed sleep last night, and the coughing is down to management proportions .. thank you!!

I had a hard time finding something to paint last night -- finally resorted to choosing one of the old photo references I carry in my travel kit for just such times so I could get my 'practice' in .... Though I don't think this is an image from North Carolina, it could have easily been. These rural barns and views are what I love about where I live.

Temps have fallen again and we're supposed to have four or five days of steady rain ... Good for the soil and plants .. but mercy.....I'm going to enjoy the sunshine while I can!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Our Peach Tree - young and already looking gnarly... We found an old, dried up peach from last year still clinging to one branch ..

The weather yesterday was too beautiful to stay indoors -- warm, sunshiney -- so I just HAD to sit in the spring weather for just a bit of time.

Despite the dips we've had in temperature, our forsythia continues to bloom, as does our peach trees, flowering quince, and even our saucer magnolia. The red/green leaves of the crab apple are emerging, and there's new growth in the ornamental grasses and perennials herbs. In our walk around the neighborhood yesterday, we saw daffodils in the middle of now-woodlands - evidence of former dwellings and how the land and its use has changed over time.

I'm still coughing and congested -- seems there's a lot of that going around ... stay well! And have a great Monday

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I continue to practice various techniques seeing how some of them might help me through some challenges I continue to have with watercolors.

This scene, painted a while back, is one of my favorites of Tuscany. What I like most about it is the size of the building against the landscape -- and the huge sky. I wanted to practice blending more colors on the paper ... and so attempted another, looser rendition of this scene. I"m hoping to see more of this type of view when overseas ... those urban scenes challenge me a bit too much! LOL

The weather has been cool, though the sun has been brilliant. The grands left me with a bit of their 'colds' .. so though the sun tempts me out of doors, the colder temperatures are a bit too much for plein air work right now. It's supposed to be a bit warmer today ..so if I can get this cough under control, I may venture out for a short amount of time ..

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Another challenge from Bill (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorus_maver/3353742355/) and this one completely out of my arena. Even though I lived in Charleston, SC for 25 years and grew up on the water, I was raised to be mighty wary of boats and the ocean -- and so I've been an advocate of 'terra firma' all my life ... Familiarity with harbors, boats, masts and the like is pretty foreign to me. The photo presented additional challenges ... composition especially, as well as elements of water, depth, architecture ... pretty complex. I have to be honest and say that I truly devoted a good amount of time just thinking about this image and how I could best portray it in my own terms.

I simplified the scene immensely ...had my dear husband help me with the perspective (still a challenge), and used quite a bit of artistic license to move boats around. I wanted some verticality so I added a sailboat from another image. I also wanted to focus just a bit more on that blue boat with the red stripe. I loved the yellow house so I wanted a bit more of that and the red building. I remembered some 'posts' from the Charleston harbor and so added those to an area of the painting that I thought needed something else. Lastly, I added a bit of humor since the white boat looked so 'naked.'

This was done on Arches #140cp, 9" x 12" -- a bit small for the scene I think .. but with the challenges I had -- large enough! LOL

I had a bit of trouble with the water, so if I'm going to be visiting Venice in May, I'd better spend some time practicing both boats AND water !!! LOL Truly this was a really good practice for that trip .... so THANk YOU once again, Bill ... for the stretch!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Our first Johnston County Arts Council Plein Air went extraordinarily well! Thank you all for your well wishes!

The day couldn't have been more delightful -- a cool morning, sun warming us to the mid 70s ... sunshine, a glorious beaver pond, outbuildings, chickens, French hens, gardens, a beautiful home, vignettes both in front and behind the dwelling, wonderful and eager folks, and the deliciousness of time spent in the early spring outdoors! A gift indeed.

Sixteen artists arrived with sketchpads, oils and watercolors, and each found their 'niche' to memorialize. Some were first-timers, and were surprised at how much they enjoyed the experience. Four or five of those who had registered called to say their plans had changed, but they would make the next event.

Some friends from my 'home' plein air group came -- some as far as 2 1/2 hours away ... gifts upon gifts!

I knew that I'd be busy with coordinating the event, so my attempt to paint was limited to my 7" x 10" sketchbook ... and a good deal of artistic license. I did a LOT of clear-cutting to include only these few trees between my spot on the porch and the beaver pond -- and the forsythia and quince came from another part of the property -- but I suppose that is what painting is all about -- making the scene our own.

It was a most enjoyable day with many ideas for expanding our little group.

We meet next month during the Arboretum's plant sale .. and as coordinator of that event (helping customers, supervising students, helping other exhibitors), I sincerely doubt I'll do much more than have a moment to take photos ... but to see these incredible artists enjoying another gathering -- sheer poetry.

We've weather changes again -- rain and cold today, making yesterday even more special.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

After a far-too long day, I returned to the B&B to find this tender gift from Rebecca -- a beautiful vase of just-opening flowering almond blossoms! I arrived too late in the evening to see the shrub in bloom, but these delightful pink flowers certainly cheered me! And so, of course, I had to paint them! Such a sweet surprise!

We're off today to meet area artists, and I hope to find a moment to paint. Fingers crossed ...!

Have a great day! It's supposed to be sunny and warm -- another gift ...!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Driving in to work on Mondy as well as this morning, the change from rain and cold to the predicted warm up and sunshine created a mighty dense fog. I decided to use these experiences and practice 'foggyness' again....

We're due for some sun, and I know there's a lot of us anxiously awaiting its return. We've standing water in the woodlands and around the school, and the dampness sure produces its share of joint aches ...

I'm coordinating our local Arts Council's first plein air paint-out tomorrow, so after a few minutes at the office, I'll be out all day. We're hoping the sun and warmer temps work with us as we gather local artists to paint together for the first time.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

In the greening of the landscape as in the celebration of today's holiday, I hope everyone's day is filled with the brightness of new growth and the colors of spring!

We're supposed to get sunshine today - and that will certainly brighten our landscape! Meantime, it's watching the unfolding of spring through the haze of rain and fog ... but the bright green spears of daffodils and tulips make our gardens a bit more 'Irish' today ....

Monday, March 16, 2009

Well, the rain and grey finally got to me, and I just had to have some COLOR! LOL

Though my own apple blossoms are a few weeks away from blooming, my PEACH blossoms are surviving the cold temps and rain ... but even they look somewhat muted in all the misty conditions -- hence -- apple blossoms! LOL One more day of rain, and we 'should' see the sun again. That ol' sol has been mightily missed.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

A few weeks ago, my staff and I were finishing our work, when they called me to look at the sky. The sun was setting by the greenhouses, and the approaching clouds were onimous! I snapped some photos trying to capture the dazzle of colors and the dark, foreboding entry of the storm behind the dark pine trees.

I thought today, day 3 of rain, seemed quite fitting for the painting (plus it's taken 3 times to try to get it to this stage! LOL)

Thank you all for your comments, encouragement and suggestons yesterday. Please know how grateful I am for your taking the time to write and for your kindest of words. Words, like painting, mean the world to me, and so YOUR comments are very much taken to heart. I won't give up on plein air -- I am determined if nothing else! LOL What I hope to give up is my own perfectionism and ridiculous expectations -- doing that should help a lot too! LOL

We had a grand time last night with Nick and Emily. It's been a while since we all had enough time to sit and play for several hours. And though Emily didn't get a chance to brighten my eyes with shadow, or pink my lips with glaze or paint my nails pink and purple, we had an entertaining time racing cars, making crabycakes and spaghetti with PlayDoh, splashing a lot in the tub, and snacking on PawPaw's special cookies and berries. It's amazing to me how grown up they are becoming -- and how tall! Emily clearly is passing my waist, and Nick is right behind her. Before long, we'll be sharing clothing! LOL

The poor kitties have confined themselves to the porch in all the rain -- and are startling us with their antics across the porch chairs as they chase one another and bang the chairs against the house. We have another one or two days of this .. I hope the furniture survives! LOL

Saturday, March 14, 2009

I spent most of the day yesterday working on those obligations that I've put off for months -- including updating my grandchildren's photo albums. So I didn't quite finish my painting for the day -- so I pluckekd up my nerve to post this plein air attempt from last week.

It was so warm and beautiful -- in contrast to our 40sF temps and constant rain -- so I sat in my car and painting a view of one of the woodlands on our road. I'm not happy with it, and though I can't tell why, I do like the colors and shadows. I"m posting today to give a bit of sunshine to the rainy cold weekend.

The grands come later so it's going to be a busy day -- I still have all of 2009 photos of the grands to catch up with! LOL

Okay, I'm getting brave. Here are two plein air paintings I did last week. I"m very unhappy with this one, despite the bright forsythia that called to me to paint it in the first place. I think the foreground is too flat and the dry creek looks weird.... anyway -- here's to daily practice and the things one learns when things DON"T work out! LOL

Friday, March 13, 2009

Though it's begun a four-day rain session for us, spring is here as evidenced by those chartruse greens that can be witnessed in emerging, new leaves of some of our largest trees and shrubs.

Temps have fallen again, and yet the parade of blooms continue as though to remind us that a brief kiss of cold is merely that -- perhaps to be viewed as a gentle 'goodbye' to winter.

It should be a far quieter weekend than we've had in a while, especially since the rain will keep our activities close to home. The grands come for dinner tomorrow night, and I've a few projects that need completing ... other than that, I'm hoping for a restive time at the painting table.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

This was our view the other evening as Charles and I took our walk around our neighborhood. Buzzards and hawks were circling overhead, the sun was setting over the neighbor's woodlands, and the sky was filled with rich yellows, golds and oranges. I had enough time last evening at the B&B to finally paint it.

Our temps will fall this evening, causing a bit of a slow down to the rampant blooming we're experiencing ... from Bradford pears, maples, oaks to daffodils and crocus and tulips .... I won't see anything like this flower exuberance for a couple of weeks in Oxford - but spring is definitely on its way.

Working south and living north, I'm reminded of Edwin Way Teale's book "North With the Spring" ... for that title describes exacting my weekly commutes ...along with the way the seaon progresses for me.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Yahoo -- the battery started and I made my way back to work ...and work it was. Paperwork greeted me as I elbowed my way to my desk, and somehow, all those piles of sheaves kept multiplying each time I moved a piece or two .... eeeks. But by 5:30, I had plowed enough of my desk to plant some NEW papers in the cleared space. LOL The battle was won but the war continues!

Back to daily practice, though I spent entirely too long on these flowers last night. I got into the rhythm of negative painting trying too hard to make those flowers work better ... ah well ... a good practice session that was pretty relaxing after a tiring day.

Temps are changing yet again. We have one more day of warmish (60s?) weather -- then back to the 40s and some much needed rain.

The flowers at the Arboretum are all abloom. To see some of our activities, classes, bulbs, and the signs of spring, click here:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Our skies are that Carolina blue of song and North Carolina legend, and when I look up to the trees stretching to worship that sky, I see that buds have broken their protective scales to form hazy colors of golds, reds, magentas, siennas.

This farmhouse is down the road from me and is currently under renovation. Their hardwoods dwarf the small structure, but with our temperatures on the rise, the soft colors of spring, especially against the ever-present pine green, make the property and house so appealing.

Monday started out as a 'typical' Monday. I had finished packing the car for the week and went to back the car out of the garage. NADA. I mean, NOTHING. Car wouldn't start, and with new technology, the trunk locks and I couldn't even retrieve my week's worth of food. SIGH. An hour and a half later, I was being towed to the dealership to sit for another 2 1/2 hours while they checked the car to find that the auxillary battery had died completely -- but nothing else was wrong. SIGH.

Except this is about the fifth time this battery has failed me -- fortunately before now, NOT when I had to leave for work. Since I just had the car serviced on Friday and merely drove it home and left it unmoved for 3 days, there was no reason for the battery to have failed me. But it did.

They couldn't find anything 'wrong' with the battery (according to their machines); but I couldn't afford another tow bill NOR another lost day at work; so adding to the bill on Friday and the towing, I replaced the dang thing - fearful of being stuck someplace on the side of the road, a long way from home or assistance.

Man, a Monday to be sure.

Still, I got home and worked a few hours from there to make up some time (and work-demands); but I still had a couple of hours of sunlight to myself -- so trying to make lemonade from a day's very sour beginning, I weeded the flower beds, ruined another attempt at plein air (lol), and finally dug into a project I've been procrasting .... so in all, not so bad. Except, of course, when my Visa bill arrives.

Monday, March 09, 2009

As the trip to Italy gets closer and closer, I've been trying to spend a bit more time practicing buildings and plein air. Both have frustrated me this weekend with some invisible barrier I can't seem to get past to paint what I am envisioning ... sigh .. so practice continues.

While I"m partly pleased with this, I tried more than four times to darken the water a bit but kept losing the highlights and/or the tone when I added one or the other -- so I left the water light and figured I'd try again next weekend.

Still, just painting scenes of Italy gets me excited about the trip (May) and what I'll be learning.

My forays by our creek were frustrating too -- The day was superb - even hot, with temperatures reaching 84F! Birds and peepers kept me company while I could hear C and his friends jamming from the house, but between balancing items on my lap, the heat keeping me constantly spritzing my paints, and the light distorting tones -- -- I was ready to toss it all into the water! LOL Ah well, we'l keep trying - at least it was some time spend in the woodlands and watching spring emerging.

Back to the office and regular routine. I hope YOUR week is less frustrating and that your creative endeavors flow smoothly!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Spring ... and daylight savings time. Already I'm behind an hour with the new time change, and after a long day in the car yesterday, mentally behind as well ...

Still, I left the upstairs windows open to awaken to the sounds of birds singing and spring acomin'! Temps are supposed to be in the 80s!!! today -- remember Monday? It was below 20F -- 6 days later -- 80? Mercy .. no wonder folks are sporting colds!

River Dance was all I remembered and more! Our children chose excellent seats and we could even watch the percussionist perform his own magic along with the singers and dancers. I was so ready for toe-tapping myself! LOL Excellent performance! The wind instruments were haunting as always -- but the percussion of those taps and high-flying legs -- mesmerizing!

I painted this last weekend trying to anticipate a bit of spring with snow in the forecast ... LOL I managed to sketch a bit during the long drive, but sketching in a moving vehicle is a challenge and I didn't risk the paints! LOL

Today, C has his jam at the house, and I plan to see if Ms. Muse will bless me out of doors for a bit of plein air.

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Happiest of Birthdays, sweetheart! May this be a wonderful one for you -- and I hope that 'the girls' give you an opportunity to get a few hours of much needed sleep!! LOL

It was a glorious day yesterday, warm and bright ....I got my chores done early so I could paint outdoors. But Ms. Muse must have thought she had spent enough time with me this week, and so she fled elsewhere -- I hope she was at least sitting on YOUR shoulder! LOL

Determined to paint something I wasn't ashamed of before heading to bed, I worked on these flowers for my daughter's birthday.

I worked again from the 'first colorful wash method" explained so well by Allan Kirk (http://www.tarnincolour.com/sbsindex.html). (This is the same method I followed for the French Door.) He's offering some wonderful instructional PDF files ...(no I don't get a commission -- I'm just a happy customer! LOL) What I love about this method is the way that first wash harmonizes the painting, giving bits of color to items that I wouldn't be tempted to do by simply 'painting the flower' method. There's a bit of negative painting here as well, and I do love to see how painting 'around an object' makes that item POP .. fun.

Today we're off to drive a few hours to see "River Dance" .. a Christmas gift for C and I from our children. As much as I love all things Italian, that Irish music and dance sets my feet tapping and my soul soaring. I've loved River Dance ever since I saw it years ago -- and to have the chance to see it 'live' is a fabulous gift. Since the performance is quite a drive for us, I'll have to catch up on everyone's wonderful work tomorrow.

It promises to be another warm and sunny day ... so I hope you have a chance to get out and play!

Friday, March 06, 2009

Before I left for work on Tuesday, the sun was just making its way through the trees. From my window, the bright light seemed to crystalize the cold, frozen snow in patterns of blue and yellow ... and I snapped some photos before dashing to work. Oh, to have been able to paint at that moment!

I painted this the following day, still remembering that brilliant light and icy snow, today -- all erased. My ice-tethered trees are now upright again, and temperatures are expected to be in the high 60s and 70s.

I had a good report from the eye doctor yesterday -- swelling down, infection about gone. He's given me 'eye' exercises to do .. and so I'm grateful that all is well -- thank YOU all for your kind concern and comments!

Being 'grounded' at home for the last week, even with limited vision, has been a blessing of relaxed time. I've been able to complete more deadlines in the space of uninterrupted hours than I could have at the office -- thus relieving a lot of stress that had been building as deadlines loomed.

My work is quite frenetic with long days and long nights, and so sketching or painting has to be squeezed in at the end of the day when fatigue colors my brush and paper along with the paint. Having a less frantic atmosphere with which to work has been a blessing...and I think it shows in my paintings. I return to the fray and bustle on Monday, grateful to be employed - but knowing that the intensity will continue as the economy remains dismal and less personnel are asked to do far more. It'll be back to practice and sketching during the week and sweet 'paint-time' on the weekends.

Still, I do love my work, and it definitely keeps me hopping! LOL It also provides an outlet for my own restless energy in a way that I hope will benefit a larger community. I suppose it's that old 'balance' rub and finding a way to keep things on a steady, more serene path. It's no wonder I tend to paint quiet scenes ... lol

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Bill has posted another 'challenging' challenge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorus_maver/3319997163/) - a view through Beartooth Mountains. I visited this pass quite a number of years ago, and remember the steep curves, deep drops, snow, freezing temperatures and the wee outhouse on the top of the mountain. Braving winds, ice and cold temperatures to USE the facility was not something for the faint of heart.

There are mountains in North Carolina - folks from Colorado call them 'hills', but our Smokey Mountains are beautiful -however, they are a five hour drive west for me ...so mountain views aren't something I paint often.

Still, the charm of this photo to me was the bank of clouds covering the mountains. In rendering my version, I wanted to emphasize the sky even more. I dropped the horizon and mountain line, added bits of pink and yellow for warmth, and brightened the scene with more of the late fall colors.

I found painting this challenging with all the variation in textures and trying to keep it somewhat simple. It was fun, and I may want to try it again to see if I could pull off a different mood.

It's 'doctor' day at our house. Two of the kitties have appointments for spaying, and I return to the eye doctor to see if I can wear my lenses again. It sure gets old bumping into things! LOL

Temps are rising, the snow is about gone, though bits and pieces still linger in my woods. And I cannot believe we turn the clocks FORWARD this weekend! Mercy, before we know it we'll be singing Christmas carols! LOL

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

This was done a few weeks ago --- it's a view that we often see when we walk down our road. In order to even see the top of this house, we have to find a way over the ditch, and lean, carefully, over the electric fence and between all the trees and vines. But I love walking past there and seeing how the pasture changes colors through the seasons. I often hear the cows serenading one another, though they're not often in view.

Got in very very late last night after an intense, too-busy day. But the workshop went incredibly well, with folks attending from almost 2 hours away! We'll host another one in late summer -- after our obligations for this year are met. It was a lot of fun -- but that long drive home -- whew!

The snow was almost gone from my work city, but here at home, my poor bent trees are still frozen to the ground by iced-over snow, and my beloved ornamental grasses look like ice sculptures. We're supposed to warm up enough to begin melting the last of the snow today ... but I fear I've lost some of those poor trees ... I don't think they'll ever regain their posture.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

The snow yesterday paralized many parts of our state, and the below-average temperatures (in the teens!) have delayed businesses and schools from opening on time this morning as we all wait for a 'warm up' to clear black ice and bridge overpasses.

I return to work today for a full day of catch-up and a late-night workshop. Eyes are somewhat better, though it'll be the first full day of lens wearing, and that alone takes quite a bit of time for my eyes to readjust.

The sketch above is a portion of my yard as viewed from my upstairs window. Just to the right of the trees is my garden shed. I really love how those trees are spaced, seemingly guarding that portion of our homesite.

Monday, March 02, 2009

It's a wet, heavy snow, with the rain underneath a sheet of ice. Schools where I live are closed since we have about 4" of the white stuff -- and yet, where I work, the school has only a 2 hour delay and little snow. While it's in the low 30sF today, by Saturday, we're expecting temps in the 70s!! Mercy, A season's weather variation in a week!

This painting was done last snowstorm -- but I thought it was too fitting to not post today!

From my window I can see so many of our trees bent over in this snow. The kitties stayed warm in the garage with their heater, and it's a wintry wonderland before me. It'll be gone by Wednesday and we may not see any more snow this year ... but I so enjoy seeing it during those infrequent times it turns our world white.

Stay warm and safe everyone! This same storm is causing a lot of accidents and even heavier snowfalls up north!

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Thank you all for your most kind comments yesterday. These challenges are fun and are certainly an opportunity to learn and to stretch a bit! I'm looking forward to the next one!

Meantime, a bit more relaxed and playful painting (grin!). I love red poppies, and our highway department plants them each year in their beautification of our roadways. But the orange poppies, too, are charming in their sunshiney way, and so I thought I'd paint the orange ones, especially cheerful on a weekend filled with rain.

While tree buds are popping, daffodills and crocuses are blooming, we're in store for a bit of snow tonight. It'll be short-lived as most of our snows are, but it may be nice to have 'just one more' dusting of the white stuff before spring swiftly moves in our hot summers.